Breath operated switch for musical instruments



2 Sheets-Sheet l 1N V EN TOR.

E. H. KENWORTHY BREATH OPERATED SWITCH FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Edward H. Knworf/y Fig. 2

Dec. 18, 1956 Filed May 24, 1955 Dec. 18,1956 E. H. KENWORTHY 2,774,834

BREATH OPERATED SWITCH FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Edward H. Ker/worry INVENTOR.

United States Patent C 'I BREATH OPERATED SWITCH FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Edward H. Kenworthy, Puente, Calif.

Application May 24, 1955, Serial No. 510,603

4 Claims. (Cl. 200-52) This invention relates to a novel switch adapted to be utilized in conjunction with various types of musical instruments so as to enable the tone producing system of the musical instruments, such as an electronic organ, to be controlled by the keyboard actuated in a manner as that of playing a harmonica.

The primary object of the present invention resides in the provision of a novel breath actuated switch which can be operated by the breath by either blowing or drawing so as to make proper electrical contacts with the speedy action needed for playing musical notes.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a breath operated switch which can use the light feather-like pressure that the breath provides for opening and closing switches.

Still further objects and features of this invention reside in the provision of a breath actuated switch a number of which can be arranged side by side and connected to a suitable mouthpiece and to a tone producing system for forming an electronic harmonica or like instrument. It is noted that an electronic organ or other suitable tone producing instrument may be controlled by the gang series of breath operated switches in a novel and highly etective manner, thus aording new and unusual musical effects.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of this invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are obtained by this breath actuated switch, preferred embodiments of which have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional detail view illustrating the construction of the various component portions of this breath actuated switch;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the breath atcuated switch;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view as taken along the plane of line 3 3 in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view as taken along the plane of line 4--4 in Figure l;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a modified form of breath actuated switch with parts thereof being broken away to show other parts in section for greater clarity;

Figure 6 is an elevational View with parts being shown in section of a further modification of the invention;

Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional detail view illustrating the constructon of one of the contact terminals utilized in the invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective View of a blow Contact member utilized in the invention; and

Figure 9 is a perspective View of one of the draw contact members utilized in the invention.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, and with particular attention initially directed to the embodiment of the invention as is shown in Figures l through 4, reference numeral 10 is used to generally designate the breath operated switch. The breath operated switch 10 includes a 2,774,834 Patented Dec. 18, 1956 main block 12 formed of either a suitably electrically nsulative material or a suitable electrically conductive material as the prticular modification of the invention may dictate and spacer blocks 14 and 16 are aflixed thereto by suitable fasteners, as at 18, or by bonding, and carrying a mounting plate 20. An insulative plate 22 is bonded or otherwise secured to the main block 12 and is provided with a pair of apertures 24 and 26 therethrough.

The block 12 is provided with an air duct 28 having an outlet as at 30 to which the mouthpiece of a harmonica or like instrument may be attached. A bore 32 is formed in the block 12 and communicates with the air cell 28 and is in communication with the aperture 26, the aperture 26 being larger in diameter than the bore 32. A further bore 34 is formed in the block 12 and has a relatively narrow portion 36 in communication therewith. The bore 34 communicates with the air cell 28.

Mounted within the bore 26 is the stem portion 38 of a blow contact member 40 which includes a plate portion 42 positioned outwardly of the aperture 26. The stem portion 43 of the draw contact member 44 has a relatively narrow stem portion 46 threadedly detachably engaged therewith and cam'es the bridging plate 48 outwardly of the aperture 24,

The plate 40 is adapted to bridge a pair of electric contacts 50 and 52 held in place by means of nuts 54 and 56 on the mounting plate 20. The specific construction of the spring pressed contact members 50 and 52 will be described in detail hereinafter. Other similar contacts 58 and 60 held in place on the mounting plate 50 by means of nuts 62 and 64 threadedly engaged on the threaded portions of the contacts 58 and 60 are bridged by the plate 48. Hence, when air is blown into the air cell 28, the pistonlke action of the stem portion 38 of the blow contact member 40 is such as to cause `the plate 42 to bridge the contacts 50 and 52 to complete an open ative electrical circuit to the electrical musical instrument with which this device is associated. Upon drawing air from the air cell 28 upon the application of suction, the stem portion 42 will function as a piston to draw the plate 48 upwardly into bridging action with respect to the contacts 58 and 60. It is to be recognized that gravity will normally urge the contact members 44 and 40 into a non-engaging position with their respective spring pressed contacts.

In order -to evaporate any moisture which may condense within the air cell 28 or otherwise be present therein, there is provided a heater carried by brackets 72 and 74 attached to the mounting plate 20 and block 12, respectively.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention as is shown in Figure 5, it will be seen that herein there is provided a main block carrying a pair of mounting plates 82 and 84 of suitable insulative material in spaced relationship by means or" spacer blocks 84, 86, 88 and 90. A pair of bores 92 and 94 are formed in the block 80 in communication with the air cell 96 having an air inlet 98. Positioned in the bores 92 and 94 are the blow contact members and the draw contact members 102, respectively. The blow contact member 100 includes a bridging plate 104 adapted to bridge contacts 106 and 108 upon the application of air to the air cell 96 through the air inlet 98. By means of a spring type coil conductor 110 connected to a terminal 112, the bridging plate 104 may be electrified.

A bridging plate 114 is provided for the draw contact member 102 which is attached to a reduced stem portion 116 threadedly engaged in the stem portion 118 of the draw contact member 102. A collar 120 is positioned on the reduced stem portion 116 for limiting the lowermost disengaged position of the bridging plate 114. The bridging plate 114 is connected to a conductive coil 122 which is., connected to. aA Vterminal 124v and is. .adapted to bridge spring pressed contacts 126 and 128.

The spring pressed contacts, such as the contact 50, includesl a generally hollow plastic body 13,0 having a c011- tact cup 132 slidabl within, 'the contact cup having'a flange 134 to prevent it from being removed vfrom the hollow body 130. A bolt 136 extends through the .Upper portion of the hollow body 13.0 and is held in place by a nut 138 and is engageable by one end of a coil spring 140 engageable within thecup 132 to urge the cupl 132 outwardly. The spring 140 is Very weak. Hence, the application of the slightest feather-like pressure upon the cup 132 will be sufficient to move it, thereby Compensating tfor any differences in level between two cups 132 and permi-tting the actuation of the blow or draw contact members to bridge the various contacts in a convenient and easily controllable manner.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention als is shown in Figures 6, 8 and 9, 'it is noted that herein there is provided a hollow block carrying a pair of mounting plates 152 and 154 in spaced relationship by means of spacer blocks 156, 158, and 162. A suitable heating arrangement for removing any condensation which may form within the air cell 164 or the bores 166 and 168 is provided and is indicated at 170. This heater 170 is held in place by means of suitable brackets 172 and 174. The draw conta-ct member of this form of `the invention includes a bridging plate 176 adapted to bridge contacts 178 and 180 carried by the mounting plate 154. The bridging plate 176 is mounted onV the stem portion 178 which functions as a piston upon application of breath to the inlet 180 of the air cell 164. Mounted within the bore 168 is the stern 182 of `the draw contact member 184 having a stem portion 186 of reduced diameter with a collar 188 mounted thereon. The draw contact member 184 has a contact plate 190 adapted to engage `contacts 192 and 194.

The foregoing is `considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

l. A breath operated switch for use in combination with a musical instrument comprising a main block having an air inlet communicating with a transverse air cell, a first bore in said block communicating with said I air cell, a blow contact member movably positioned in said first bore, first contact means positioned for engagement by said blow contact member upon application of breath into said air inlet, a second bore in said block communicating with said air cell, a draw contact member mov'ably positioned in said second bore, and second contact means' positioned for engagement by said draw contact member upon application of suction on said air inlet, and heater means adjacent said block for evaporating moisture in said air cell and said bores.

2. A breath operated switch for use in combination with a musical instrument comprising a main block having an air inlet communicating with a transverse air cell, a first .here in vSeid block communicating .with Said air cell, a blow contact member movably positioned in said first bore, first contact means positioned for engagement by said blow contact member upon application of breath into said air inlet, a second bore in said block communicating with said air cell, a draw contact member movably positioned insaid second bore, and second contact means positioned for engagement by said draw contact memberv upon application o'f suction on said air inlet, said blow contactniember and said draw contact member being positioned so as to be urged by gravity out of engagement with s-aid tirst contact means and said second contact means, and heater means adjacent said block for evaporating moisture in said air cell and said bores.

3. A breath operated switch for use in combination with a musical instrument comprising a main block having an ,air inlet communicating with a transverse air cell, a first bore in said block communicating with said air cell, a blow contact member movably positioned in said rst bore, rst contact means positioned for engagement by said blow contact member upon application of breath into said air inlet, a second bore in said block communicating with said air cell, a draw contact member movably positioned in said second bore, and second contact means positioned for engagement by said draw contact member upon application of suction on said air inlet, said rst contact means and said 'second contact means comprising pairs of spring pressed contacts, said pairs of spring pressed contacts being bridged by said blow contact member and said draw contact member, and heater means adjacent said block for evaporating moisture in said air c ell and said bores.

4. A breath operated switch for use in combination with a musical instrument comprising a main block having an air inlet communicating with a transverse air cell, a rrst bore in said block communicating with said `air cell, a blow contact member movably positioned in said first bore, first Contact means positioned for engagement by Said blow contact member upon application of breath into said air inlet, a second bore in said block communicating with said air cell, a draw contact member movably positioned in said second bore, and second contact means 'positioned for engagement by said draw contact member upon application of suction on said air inletfsaid iirst contact means and said second contact means comprising pairsof spring pressed contacts, said pairs iof spring pressed contacts being bridged by said blow contact member and said draw contact member, said blow contact member and said draw contact member being positioned so as to be urged by gravity out of engagement with said rst contact means and said second contact means, said first bore and said second bore extending normal to said air cell, and hea-ter means adjacent said block for evaporating moisture in said air cell and said bores. v

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,455,032 williams Nov. 3o, 194s 2,475,168 Workman July 5, 1949 2,510,552 Carroll et al. June 6, 1950 

